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WEATHERSFIELD -- A township police officer, who also trains police dogs, pleaded not guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor falsification charge.
David Blosser III, 50, 3069 Durst Clagg Road NE, Bazetta, was arraigned before Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Ronald J. Rice, but Blosser's attorney has filed a motion seeking to have the case moved to Warren Municipal Court.
Blosser was booked into the Trumbull County jail, but immediately released on a personal recognizance bond ordered by Rice.
Attorney Sam Amendolara said that since the charge is a misdemeanor, the prosecutors in the lower court are "more than capable" of handling Blosser's case.
Assistant Prosecutor Charles Morrrow countered that the case was investigated by the prosecutor's office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and in the interest of "judicial economy," Morrow said the case should stay in Rice's court.
Rice said he will render a decision in a few days. If the case remains in Rice's court, a pretrial hearing has been scheduled for May 13.
The charge accuses Blosser of making a false statement before a notary public, Morrow said. The case involved a fraudulent application for and issuance of a duplicate motor vehicle title.
Morrow said the patrol investigated the case after it was made aware of the alleged offense by the Trumbull County Clerk of Courts' Title Office in Warren, the official said.
The charge is not related to his duties as a police officer, according to a written statement from Weathersfield police Chief Michael Naples Jr., but Blosser has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. According to newspaper archives, Blosser was hired full-time by Weathersfield in December 2014. He was the police dog handler for the township and in Fowler.
The potential sentence carries a maximum fine of up to $1,000 and up to a six-month jail term.
gvogrin@tribtoday.com